Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Vidarbha cotton growing farmers advocacy group Vidarbha Janandolan Samiti(VJAS) has strongly objected the statementofMr. Shishir Jaipuria, Chairman of the Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) that the export of 5.5 million bales of cotton from India during the early part of this cotton year has created an artificial cotton shortage in India.

“CITI statement is misleading and baseless when Indian regulatory authorities have confirmed that there is surplus stock of at least 50 lakhs bales and textile has given it’s node to the demand of agriculture and commerce ministry demand of additional permission of 15 lakhs bales in order to protect the financial interest of Indian cotton farmers who are committing suicides as prices of cotton slashed to 50% in month where as uncertainties and unjust quantitative restriction has always allowed the textile cartel to get cheaper cotton by 30% . this is part of textile lobby to get cotton export curtail so that they can exploit the situation .it’s unfortunate that textile minister is playing on direction of this textile cartel that has ruined around one billion cotton farmers to tune of Rs.20,000 croreand losses are likely to be more if Indian Govt. function with anti farmer policies ”Tiwari added

“CITI has managed the Indian Textile minister initially to restrict cotton bales export to 55 lakhs bales from earlier year 84 lakh bales even when country cotton production is higher by another 25 lakhs bales then ban export of cotton yarn and now surprisingly as per Quota Policy of Cotton items nowadded Cotton Waste ( Comber Noil)H. S. Code No. 5202 as Cotton Waste is a‘By-product’ of Cotton Yarn. when plenty of quotaof Cotton Yarn lying unutilized the hostile functioning of Union Textile Minister Dayanithi Maran has a allaowed textile cartel to include the by-product banned ” Tiwari said..

“CITI is keeping salient of the fact that Cotton prices have increased from Rs 30000/candy in April 2010 to Rs 60000/candy April 2011 which is an increase of about Rs 70-75 per kg and immediately Spinners increased the price of yarn from rs 150/- per kg in April 2010 for 30s combed to Rs 230/- per kg in April 2011. increase of Rs 80 per kg which reflects in cotton value to Rs 30000/per candy minimum. Fabric weavers too have increased prices of grey fabric of 40 x 40 counts 124 x 64 with 200 gm per mtr which is quoted at about Rs 70/- per sqmtr as against Rs 38 in April 2010. There s an increase of Rs 32/mtr which is Rs 160/- per kg which in terms of candy is about Rs 58/60000 and present ban on export has brought back cotton prices to the level of April 2010 which is artificial an stage managed and Union Textile Minister Dayanithi Maran is directly involved in this scam ” Tiwari added.

‘CITI should admit that Cotton production has grown from a low of 225 lac bales to 330 lac bales in last 5 years the undue protection to Local textile mills benefiting of buying Indian cotton at prices which are at least lower by 30% as compared to its competitor in Bangladesh, Pakistan and other countries who buy from other growths which is reason behind the present restriction of cotton export and when Indian cotton after lot of hard work and promotion by exporters have found a very stable and regular market of its cotton in foreign countries and Govt. should ensure that the markets created are not lost to competition due to faulty Govt. policies to protect handful textile mill owners .” It is alleged.

‘We need the urgent central intervention and demand to lift all export restriction of cotton bales and yarn too so that farmers get higher price to cotton ‘’Tiwari urged.

Cotton farmers Burdened by Early Rains, Govt policy-Times of India

Ramu Bhagwat & Shishir Arya, TNN | May 31, 2011, 04.55am IST

"Together, the farmers and traders have suffered a loss of Rs 20,000 crore thanks to the unfriendly cotton policy of the Union government," said Kishore Tiwari of the Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti. "Global prices were at an all-time high, but the government did not allow exports. So farmers are traders were forced to sell at 30% less than the international price," he explained. Tiwari has urged the government to lift all curbs on cotton exports to rescue the farmers.

NAGPUR: The early onset of monsoons has proved to be a dampener for the cotton trade as prices came down further on expectations of a better supply in the forthcoming season. Timely rains may bring good news for farmers who may get to start their activities early and hope to reap sooner. But, on the other hand, traders are left bleeding as the prices crashed when they were sitting on a huge stock purchased at a higher rate as cotton prices had touched a peak this year.

Commodity analysts say that there is a bearish outlook for cotton in the next year which means the farmers may not get a very high rate. The April 2012 contract at National Commodity and Derivative Exchange (NCDEX) is quoted at Rs 792 per 20 kg, which comes to Rs 3960 a quintal. If futures are taken as an indication, the rates may open at lower note at the start of the harvest season in the next year.

Fall of cotton

Year

February

March

April

May

2011

7,000

6,500

5,000-4,500

3,500-3000

2010

2600

3200

3200

3200-3500

(Source: Traders in the region; the table shows how the rates (rupees per quintal) increased with time last year but the trend was reverse in 2011)

Rains striking early on the Kerala coast has led to the likelihood of the sowing season for the Kharif crop starting well or even before time. A better outlook for the cotton crop due to good rains has led to a second round of battering for this commodity's prices. The government's inaction on relaxing the export cap from 55 lakh bales at present also acted as a catalyst.

Currently cotton is being quoted in the range of Rs 3,000 to Rs 3,500 a quintal in the market yards with the situation being worse a fortnight ago when the prices were below the Rs 3,000 mark.

There are estimates of a considerable jump in the supply in the coming season as the area under cotton cultivation is expected to go up by 20% from last year's tally of 11 million hectares. Higher the supply, lesser are the prices.

Cotton prices had touched an all-time high of Rs 7,000 a quintal, in January-February this year which was the peak of the season. Strangely the rates tumbled subsequently, touching Rs 4,500 by April and sliding to a new low of less than Rs 3,000 a fortnight ago. The rates have finally settled at Rs 3,500. It was only an expectation of better crop which triggered the fall in March, but normally it was too early for the markets to react to such an indication.

Traders find it a strange phenomenon. Normally rates of any agricultural commodity are on the higher side as the season ends and ease only when the fresh crop arrives. The fresh cotton crop is still five months away and the rates are already subdued. In May last year, cotton was quoted at around Rs 3500 a quintal, an increase of Rs 600 from the start of the season.

Even as there have been conflicting reports on this input, sources say that some of the farmers too had held on to their stocks hoping to fetch a better rate to only face a crash. Undoubtedly, traders are in a bind as they are sitting on huge stock purchased at a higher rate.

"Together, the farmers and traders have suffered a loss of Rs 20,000 crore thanks to the unfriendly cotton policy of the Union government," said Kishore Tiwari of the Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti. "Global prices were at an all-time high, but the government did not allow exports. So farmers are traders were forced to sell at 30% less than the international price," he explained.

Tiwari has urged the government to lift all curbs on cotton exports to rescue the farmers.

Sunday, May 29, 2011

“The year of record cultivation of cotton in 11 million hectors and record yield of33 million cotton bales has been year record financial losses as most of the yearIndian cotton growers were forced to sale30% cheaper than international market due to export cap of 55 lakhs bales when as per official estimate it was clear that additional 60 lakhs bales surplus in India asagainst domestic requirement of 220 lakhs bales but it was PMO and textile ministry kept uncertainties and not allowed to increase additional export since February 2011lastly even after the frequent intervention of Agriculture Minister by writing the letters directly to Indian prime minister since 8th April 2011 ,chief ministers of Maharashtra, Gujarat ,Andhra and Karnataka along with more than 110 M.P.s joined by Cotton Association of India (CAI) , The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) and farm activist from all over India lastly by national political parties including CONG.,NCP and BJPbut textile ministry controlled by touts managed to keep the cap of 55 lakhs cotton balesas against the last year export of 84 lakhs cotton bales intact resulting the farmers who are holding the stock till Monday to sale it in throw away price as monsoon is coming all procurement centre are declared that that last week was last week of procurement resulting accumulated net losses more the Rs.20,000 crore to more than 10 million cotton growers and local traders that has added further gloom and despair to dying cotton growing agrarian community inviting much more farm suicides in near future , Kishore Tiwari of Vidarbha Janandolan Samiti (VJAS) informed in a press release today.

“We welcome the assurance given by Textile Minister Dayanidhi Maran to Gujarat congress delegation who met on 19th may pressing hard demand increase in Cotton export quota andit was reported that quoting Gujarat Congress’s statement, the delegation demanded approval of 1.5 million bale export of Cotton which “was accepted by Textile Minister Dayanidhi Maran and he was to call Cotton Advisory Board’s meeting to give legitimate permission for additionalexport of 15 lakh bale but it hoax as till date CAB meeting has not being called moreover in between PMO issued the statement supporting the action of textile ministry to put export restriction on cotton bales, cotton yarns and even on cotton westthat’s clear indication of having textile nexus with PMO too ,we arevictim wrong policies of UPA and NDA as it is first time free import started after lifting import restrictions in 2004 even WTO deadline was 2008by then NDA Govt. at the centre which allowed record 200 lakhs bales at much cheaper price than domestic market inviting thousands of farm suicides and now imposition of export restrictions are killing the cotton farmers hence we need economical protection to distress cotton farmers as given by USA” Tiwari added.

“Cotton prices have increased from Rs 30000/candy in April 2010 to Rs 60000/candy April 2011 which is an increase of about Rs 70-75 per kg and immediately Spinners increased the price of yarn from Rs 150/- per kg in April 2010 for 30s combed to Rs 230/- per kg in April 2011. Increase of Rs 80 per kg which reflects in cotton value to Rs 30000/per candy minimum. Fabric weavers too have increased prices of grey fabric of 40 x 40 counts 124 x 64 with 200 gm per mtr which is quoted at about Rs 70/- per sqmtr as against Rs 38 in April 2010. There is anincrease of Rs 32/mtr which is Rs 160/- per kg which in terms of candy is about Rs 60000 and present ban on export has brought back cotton prices to the level of April 2010 which is artificial an stage managed and Union Textile Minister Dayanithi Maran is directly involved in this scam ” Tiwari added.

‘Maharashtra farmers are agitating since October 2010 for lifting of export ban on cotton nowsame demand is being echoed nationally but strong textile lobby is not allowing the rightful much needed decision is taken and they till lobbying hard to avoid official permission the additional export of cotton bales is granted and silent of PMO is much more irritating hence we have knocked the door of UPA convener Smt.Sonia Gandhi but nothing has resulted as on today” Tiwari added.

‘We need the urgent central intervention and demand to lift all export restriction of cotton bales and yarn too so that farmers get higher price to cotton ‘’Tiwari urged.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

VJAS to demand white paper on alleged irrigation scam-PTIhttp://mangalam.com/index.php?page=detail&nid=428511&lang=englishNagpur, May 24 (PTI) The Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti (VJAS) has decided to demand a white paper on the alleged corruption to the tune of Rs 5,000 crore in the Prime Minister's relief package fund for the improvement of irrigation projects in Vidarbha. MPCC President Manikrao Thakre has convened a water convention in Yavatmal on May 26. Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan will remain present on the occasion, where the VJAS plans to raise issues in Vidarbha before the Chief Minister. "We will request the Chief Minister to seek permission from the Centre for a CBI inquiry into alleged irregularities by the Ministry of Irrigation in the Prime Minister's funds. The corruption charges are levelled by PAC and CAG," Kishor Tiwari of VJAS said in a press release today. The VJAS will also raise issues like dwindling ground water in Vidarbha. "Now, permission has been given to divert more than 40 per cent water in the region reserved for irrigation, for the proposed power plants that are expected to generate 40,000 MW of electricity. But actually, water is required in Vidarbha, as there is a huge backlog in the irrigation sector here," Tiwari said. VJAS said that it supported Manikrao Thakre's view that the proposed power plants would use water in the region and then sell most of the power outside the state at the cost of agriculture. "The water convention will provide an opportunity to us to raise issues like the plight of Vidarbha cotton farmers, failure of the administration, lack of irrigation facilities in west Vidarbha, depleting ground water owing to uncontrolled mining, among others," Tiwari said.

We will request Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan to ask centre to arrange C B I enquiry on graft charges leveled by PAC and CAG and serious irregularities and advance payment under AIBP scheme by VIDC (Vidarbha Irrigation Dev। Corpn.) done by then Maharashtra Irrigation Minister Ajit Pawar and now as Power Minister givng the permission to use more than 40% water reserved for irrigation to the power plants expected to generate 40,000 MW electricity, are actually required in Vidarbha where a huge backlog in irrigation already exists"kishor tiwari of (VJAS)...

A Vidarbha Water Convention (Paani Parishad) convened by MPCC president Manikrao Thakre and chaired by Chief minister Prithviraj Chavan and Union water resources minister Salman Khursheed at Indian farm suicide epicenter at Yavatmal on May 26 has given the opportunity to demand the white paper on alleged massive corruption in the prime minister relief package fund allotted to increase irrigation facility to the tune of Rs.5000/- core siphoned out by the NCP leader Ajit Pawar andfarmers will press the Maharashtra Govt. official stand on on going irrigation water robbery by diverting the water for over 60 private power plants in the region.

"We will request Chief minister Prithviraj Chavanto ask centre to arrange C.B.I. enquiry on graft charges leveled by PAC and CAG and serious irregularities and advance payment under AIBP scheme by VIDC (Vidarbha Irrigation Dev. Corpn.) done by then Maharashtra Irrigation MinisterAjit Pawar and now as Power Minister givng the permission to use more than 40% water reserved for irrigation to the power plantsexpected to generate 40,000 MW electricity, are actually required in Vidarbha where a huge backlog in irrigation already exists," kishor tiwari of (VJAS)Vidarbha Janandolan Samiti informed in press release today.

“We are thankful to MPCC president Manikrao Thakre who has convened this Vidarbha Water Convention (Paani Parishad) as this will provide the dais to the dying vidarbha cotton farmers to raise issues related to hostile functioning and failure ofadministration to increase irrigation facility in west vidarbha and micro and major level as all small and big irrigation project since 2006 after visit of prime minister to vidarbha as there is drop in assured water supply to dry land farmers or area cultivated under irrigation has not increased more over maximum cotton farmers suicides as per official figure 5236 have reported in this period and ground water level has been dropped byto 160 meter as hydrology departmentmonitoring the situation due to uncontrolled mining to save rain sensitive crop like Bt.cotton which are too serious to tolerate’ Tiwari added.

“This is fact that NCP, that shares the power with Congress, is perceived as aggressively encouraging power plants in Vidarbha promising the company cheap land and water are floated laws as related portfolios of power, finance and water resources are held by NCP hence vidarbha agrarian crisis is not addressed hence NCP ministers holding portfolios of power, finance and water resources should be changed with out delay and we will demand in 26th mayWater Convention (Paani Parishad) provided we are given the proper opportunity to speak and that is remote” Tiwari said .

(VJAS)Vidarbha Janandolan Samitistrongly support MPCC president Manikrao Thakre statement that “when over 63% of the state's electricity is generated in Vidarbha already. When there is a shortfall of less than 5000 MW where is the need to clear proposals for new power plants that put together will generate 40,000 MW. These plants will get coal from other states, use up water of this region denying it to farmers and then sell most of the power outside the state and stand of partymen in the region were against reserving water for power plants at the cost of agriculture. "Under the provision of Article 371(2), governor is allocating huge funds to Vidarbha for removing irrigation backlog now on physical basis. All this effort will be a waste if all the water is allowed to be lapped up by power plants .," . Vidarbha farmers will supportMPCC president Manikrao Thakre to stop on going AIBP fund misuse and water robbery for power plants ,Tiwari said

Maharashtra farmers have strongly supported the plea of The Cotton Association of India (CAI) to the Centre to allow exports of cotton without any quantitative restrictions as relaxation of upper cap from 55 lakhs to additionally 15 lakhs cotton bales has failed to any relief to the 5 million dying cotton farmers as region itself has got more than 20 laks cotton balesin addition to more than 40 lakhs bales surplus in other part of India as India has produced more than 330 lakhs cotton balesas against domestic requirement of 220 lakhs bales but crisis started when textile ministry put cap of 55lakhs cotton balesas against the last year export of 84 lakhs cotton bales ,Kishore Tiwari of Vidarbha Janandolan Samiti (VJAS) informed in a pres release today.“This is first time the farmers and trade are fighting against quantitative restrictions as it was free import after lifting import restrictions in 2004 by then NDA Govt. at the centre which allowed record 200 lakhs bales at much cheaper price than domestic market inviting thousands of farm suicides and now imposition of export restrictions are killing the cotton farmers hence we need economical protection to distress cotton farmers as given by USA” Tiwari added.In a memorandum to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, CAI President Dhiren Sheth has sought immediate steps to make exports of cotton free under OGL (open general licence) without any quantitative restrictions. Cotton exports have not been permitted since the end of February which has resulted in almost 30 per cent crash in prices,it is further In spite of this, it is ironical that prices in India remain around 15 to 20 per cent cheaper than that of the world and farmers have been deprived of realizing the international value for their cotton whilst they have been witnessing an erosion in the value of their produce day by day since the last couple of months, CAI said.

‘Maharashtra farmers are agitating since October 2010 for lifting of export ban on cotton now same demand is being echoed nationally but strong textile lobby is not allowing the rightful much needed decision is taken and they till lobbying hard to avoid official permission the additional export of cotton bales is granted and silent of PMO is much more irritating hence we have knocked the ddor of UPA convener Smt।Sonia Gandhi but nothing has resulted as on today” Tiwari added.

Monday, May 16, 2011

Two Days after Hike, Bt cotton seeds with Revised Rates out in Market

Ramu Bhagwat, TNN | May 17, 2011, 06.03am IST

NAGPUR: Within two days of Maharashtra government approving a hike in prices of Bt cotton seeds, manufacturers on Monday started distributing stocks with packets bearing the new rates. The price has been hiked by Rs 180 per packet of 450 gm - from Rs 750 to Rs 930 of the BG-II variety. TOI had reported on April 21 that Bt seeds would cost around Rs 200 more in the ensuing kharif season.

Kashinath Milmile, a seed dealer at Pandharkawda, one of the main cotton growing centres of the region, told TOI he was yet to receive stocks from the seed companies. He said a manufacturer with the brand name 'Krishidhan' had distributed stocks with the new rates at Wani market. "The packets of BG-II bore a price tag of Rs 930 and that of BG-I had Rs 830, a hike of Rs 180 per packet," he said.

With reports of monsoon likely to hit Kerala coast by May end, farming activity has started with renewed vigour and purchases of inputs has begun in earnest. With the seed companies finally being allowed to raise prices, which had been stagnant for last four years, new stocks had been held up until now. "The fact that the seed companies are hand in glove with the government is clear from the fact that just a day after Maharashtra government allowed the price hike, packets with prices printed on them are already out," said Kishore Tiwari of Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti.

Tiwari lamented that the state had meekly agreed to the hike without any resistance. "In neighbouring Andhra Pradesh the government is opposing the price hike," he added. Together the two states account for nearly 60% of the country's total area under cotton cultivation.

"The higher cost of seeds will add to the farmer's burden, with fertilizer costs having shot up by 24% as compared to last season," said Tiwari. Milmile also confirmed that DAP fertilizer, which was priced at Rs 512 a bag last year was now selling for Rs 637 and there were reports of a further hike up to Rs 670 soon," said the dealer from Pandharkawda.

"This capital intensive cash crop of cotton is full of risks," Tiwari said. But there is hardly any initiative from the government for any change in crop pattern and farmers are taking a bigger plunge into cotton. There are already reports that cotton area may go up by 20% from around 110 lakh hectares last year.

"Costlier seeds, fertilizers and a steep increase in labour costs will only increase risks, more so since there is no assurance of a higher returns in the next season. But unmindful of consequences more and more farmers from even other regions and those traditionally growing soyabean and tur are shifting to cotton," said Tiwari.

Cotton farmers in Andhra are crying foul, and what’s got their bale, so to speak, is the rigid ceiling on exports this year imposed by Union textile minister Dayanidhi Maran. Cotton growers and exporters argue that the textile lobby in Tamil Nadu, Maran’s home state, is robbing them of hard-earned profits and at a time when there is unprecedented demand in the international market due to climate disasters in China, Pakistan, Australia and the US. India is the second largest producer and exporter of cotton in the world. At a recent GoM meeting headed by Maran and Union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar, a decision was taken to stick to an export ceiling of 55 lakh bales of cotton (one bale = 176 kg). Experts in the cotton industry say given the current scenario, the Centre ought to allow export of at least 10 lakh more bales.

N. Omkar, a cotton trader in Warangal, says, “The global climate scenario is ever changing and the government ought to take dynamic decisions which will help farmers. China, Pakistan and the US are hungry for cotton. Prices in the domestic market are Rs 6,000-6,200 a quintal but many farmers sold out stocks in a hurry fearing a fall in prices. Ultimately, the domestic spinning/textile mill lobby prevailed upon the government because they want the farmers under their thumb. An increase in export quotas will benefit the cotton farmer who rarely make profits.”

Andhra, Gujarat and Maharashtra are the major cotton-producing states in the country. According to Cotton Advisory Board figures, 17.1 lakh hectares in AP are under cotton cultivation with production at around 65.68 lakh bales. Gujarat accounts for 106.82 lakh bales and Maharashtra 77.31 lakh bales. S.K. Panigrahi, GM, Cotton Corporation of India, Guntur, says cotton availability in the international market has become negative this year. As a result, demand has gone through the roof. Current prices fluctuate near $775 a bale (up from $387 early last year). Panigrahi refused to comment on a review of the export quota but explained that it’s given on a first-come, first-served basis through the textile commissioner’s office in Mumbai (there is no state-wise quota).

Meanwhile, an interesting statistic crops up on domestic cotton consumption—Tamil Nadu accounts for 33 per cent as several spinning, ginning and textile mills operate there. “Mr Maran’s decision to stick to an export ceiling of 55 lakh bales is only to benefit the textile lobby there,” says Tummeti Samireddy, chairman of the Jammikunta agriculture market committee in Warangal. “But it’s not too late...if the ministry takes a favourable decision during the budget session, farmers can still benefit.”

G.P. Chowdary of the AP Cotton Association says that agriculture minister Pawar had suggested an increase in cotton exports to 80 lakh bales, but the domestic textile and garment lobby vehemently opposed the move. “An increase in export quotas might hit the domestic industry. Industry and farmers are two eyes of the government. Both have to be taken care of. The textile minister is simply playing it safe,” he feels.

CPI state secretary K. Narayana however disagrees, saying policies should change to suit the needs of farmers. As he asks, “Why are they being so rigid? Is the export quota written in stone?” According to him, the bottomline is that the farmer always gets a raw deal. Is finance minister Pranab Mukherjee listening?

Friday, May 13, 2011

As cotton price are further crashed in India more farmers suicides are being reported the reason for much Taboo on Cotton exports from India is result of unholy cartel of finger counting textile tycoon and Union Textile Minister Dayanithi Maranwhich is responsible for present cotton rowers crisis in India ,farm activist group Vidarbha Janandolan Samiti VJAS allged and urged indaina prime minister to sack Union Textile Minister Dayanithi Maranto savemore than 5 million dyinf cotton afrmers of Maharashtra ,Kishore Tiwari of Vidarbha Janandolan Samiti VJAS informed in press note today .

“Hindered of cotton farmers and farm widows are marching to Delhi to meet Indian Prime Minister and UPA Convener Smt.Sonia Gandhi for urgent intervention in order to resolve the crisis as Textile minister initially restricted cotton bales export to 55 lakhs bales from earlier year 84 lakh bales even when country cotton production is higher by another 25 lakhs bales then ban export of cotton yarn and now surprisingly as per Quota Policy of Cotton items now added Cotton Waste ( Comber Noil)H. S. Code No. 5202 as

Cotton Waste is a‘By-product’ of Cotton Yarn. when plenty of quotaof Cotton Yarn lying unutilized the hostile functioning of Union Textile Minister Dayanithi Maran has a allaowed textile cartel to include the by-product banned witha major raw material and brought under same category in the field of exports” Tiwari said..

“Cotton prices have increased from rs 30000/candy in april 2010 to Rs 60000/candy April 2011 which is an increase of about Rs 70-75 per kg and immediately Spinners increased the price of yarn from rs 150/- per kg in April 2010 for 30s combed to Rs 230/- per kg in April 2011. increase of Rs 80 per kg which reflects in cotton value to Rs 30000/per candy minimum. Fabric weavers too have increased prices of grey fabric of 40 x 40 counts 124 x 64 with 200 gm per mtr which is quoted at about Rs 70/- per sqmtr as against Rs 38 in April 2010. There s an increase of Rs 32/mtr which is Rs 160/- per kg which in terms of candy is about Rs 58/60000 and present ban on export has brought back cotton prices to the level of April 2010 which is artificial an stage managed and Union Textile Minister Dayanithi Maran is directly involved in this scam ” Tiwari added.

‘As Cotton is an agricultural commodity and higher the prices farmers get, they will be encouraged to produce more and more of cotton and when Cotton production has grown from a low of 225 lac bales to 330 lac bales in last 5 years the undue protection to Local textile mills benefiting of buying Indian cotton at prices which are at least

lower by 30% as compared to its competitor in Bangladesh, Pakistan and other countries who buy from other growths which is reason behind the present restriction of cotton export and when Indian cotton after lot of hard work and promotion by exporters have found a very stable and regular market of its cotton in foreign countries and Govt should ensure that the markets created are not lost to competition due to faulty Govt policies.” It is alleged.

‘We need the urgent central intervention and demand to lift all export restriction of cotton bales and yarn too so that farmers get higher price to cotton ‘’Tiwari urged.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Vidarbha farmers' end lives, toll this year 178-TIMES OF INDIA

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'Anti-farmer Export-Import Policies'-4 more Vidarbha farmers' end lives, Toll This year 178-TIMES OF INDIA

TNN|May 3, 2011, 01.05am IST

NAGPUR: Even as the state was celebrating 51st year of its formation and winding upgolden jubilee ceremonies, the dance of death in farmlands of the backward Vidarbha region continued. Four debt-ridden farmers committed suicide in the region in the last 48 hours.

With these deaths, the toll has risen to 178 this year. The figure for last year was 748. In month of April alone, 41 farmers ended their lives in the region, according to the statistics compiled by theVidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti(VJAS), aNGOfighting for farmers' causes.

Among the latest victims of the agrarian crisis, two were from Yavatmal district known as epicentre of the farmer suicides and one each from Buldhana and Amravati. The victims were identified as Rajanna Kayapalliwar (45) of Salburdi, Bhaurao Shendur (55) of Saikheda (both in Yavatmal district), Govind Ghule (32) of Dhanora in Buldhana and Budharam Sonwane (76) of Amla in Amravati district. All of them died after consuming pesticide, the reports added.

Kishor Tiwari of VJAS claimed that Bhaurao Shendur of Saikheda was the seventh victim from the village. "Hit by crop failure and unable to repay their loans, cotton farmers in these dry-lands seek escape in death," he said. He also alleged that the special relief packages from the union and the state governments suffered from rampant corruption and lack of coordination among the implementing agencies.

Meanwhile, over 300 cotton farmers went on a day-long hunger strike at Pandharkawda on Sunday demanding the lifting of the ban on cotton exports. Tiwari said prices of cotton and pulses (tur dal) had fallen by more than 50% in the last month due to 'anti-farmer export-import policies' of the Centre. He alleged strong lobbying by the textile mill owners of southIndia, who wanted cheap raw material, had influenced the government into not allowing cotton exports when international demand was strong.

The Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti (VJAS) today urged the Government in order to implement decision to raise the Minimum Support Prices (MSP) for pulses for the current kharif crops and incentive of Rs.500 per quintal for as current price are prevailing from @1800 to Rs.2300 much below MSP but farmers are forced to sale pluses at lower prices as there is no procurement centre of NAFED or state marketing fedretion .the situation in vidarbha turning tobe much more hostile but there is no time for administration to llok at this serious issue .earlier as per central raised MSP of tur that The increase which ranges from Rs. 380 per quintal to Rs. 700 per quintal is part of the Government’s strategy to boost the production of pulses in the country. The rise in MSP for pulses this year is significant, both in terms of absolute increase and percentage rise. For Arhar (Tur) has been fixed at Rs. 3000 per quintal, of Moong at Rs. 3170 per quintal and of Urad at Rs.2900 per quintal, marking an increase of Rs. 700 per quintal, Rs. 410 per quintal and Rs. 380 per quintal, respectively over the last year’s MSPs. In addition, an additional incentive at the rate of Rs. 5 per kg for tur, urad and moong sold during the harvest/arrival period of two months to procurement agencies was promised but it is turning out to be hoax as major central owned procurement agencies National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED) and The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED) has not purchase a single kg. of pluses in vidarbha and traders are buying all pluses below the MSP where as so called incentive to the tune of RS.500/- per quintal has turned out to be another eyewash for dryland farmers who opted pluses cultivation under Govt. initiative to introduce the major schemes, viz. the National Food Security Mission (NFSM), the RashtriyaKrishiVikasYojna (RKVY) and the Macro Management of Agriculture Scheme which is now have special components for pulses development as to encourage farmers towards growing pulses informed Kishore Tiwari of Vidarbha Janandolan Samiti (VJAS ) Inletter to Indian Prime Minister Dr.Manmohan Singh ,informed in press release today.

The farmers in west vidarbha opted to cultivate tur due to the rise is Rs. 700 per quintal, from Rs. 2300/q last year to Rs. 3000/q, which represents 30.43% rise over the previous year’s MSP. This rise is higher than the rise of Rs. 500 recommended by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP). The rise in MSP for pulses this year is significant, both in terms of absolute increase and percentage rise. For tur, the rise is Rs. 700 per quintal, from Rs. 2300/q last year to Rs. 3000/q, which represents 30.43% rise over the previous year’s MSP. This rise is higher than the rise of Rs. 500 recommended by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP) but all promises are turing out to be hoax as there is no procurement from Govt. agencies moreover the concern ministry failed to develop the mechanism so that suicide prone area’s dry land farmers financial interest is protested .

“This was long pending demand of dry land farmers to west vidarbha who are cultivating mono-cash crop BT. cotton which very much rain sensitive and highly volatile to the international pricing due US subsidies and created lot of complex problem of water crisis in drought prone west vidarbha where 98% farmers are dry land farmers .we welcomed Centre decision to spend Rs. 837.03 crore on pulses development this year but the hostile functioning of babus involved in Arhar (Tur), Moong, Chana,Urad promotion programme under The National Food Security Mission (NFSM) and The RashtriyaKrishiVikasYojna (RKVY) has failed to protect the debt trapped cotton farmers who replaced cash crop of ‘tur’ with Bt.cotton hence we have urged Indian Prime Minister to start pluses procurement centres of National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India Ltd (NAFED) and The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED) ,Tiwari informed

Cotton farmers demand lifting ban on exports

Nagpur (Maharashtra), May 1 (IANS) Over 300 cotton farmers went on a day-long hunger strike here Sunday demanding the lifting of the ban on cotton exports, an official said.

Kishore Tiwari, president of Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti (VJAS), which is spearheading the agitation, said that the prices of cotton and pulses (tur dal) have fallen by more than 50 percent in the last month due to what he said 'anti-farmer export-import policies' of the centre.

'The present ban on cotton exports is to protect the textile lobby of south India which is very close to some central ministers like Textile Minister Dayanidhi Maran. This is responsible for the crises, including falling prices, gripping cotton farmers in Vidarbha,' Tiwari alleged.

Moreover, he claimed that some bureaucrats were influenced by strong lobbying by the textile mill owners who wanted cheap raw material to increase their profit margins.

Tiwari said that he has written to union Commerce Minister Anand Sharma taking strong objections to his statement that there is no immediate proposal to raise export quota for cotton.

'The prices have plummeted to below Rs.4,500 a quintal during the last fortnight from a high of Rs.7,000. The situation can be salvaged by hiking the export quota to 15 million cotton bales from the existing 5.5 million,' Tiwari told IANS.

He pointed out that the export restrictions are shocking, especially when there is good demand for cotton in the global markets which the country exploit and the farmers can made good their losses of the past one decade.

'Floods have hit cotton crops in China and Pakistan while the crop area was slashed the US. It is a rare chance for the country to export cotton at very good prices. It is a mystery why the quota is not being increased this year when last year 83 million cotton bales (each bale at Rs.170 per kg) were exported,' Tiwari pointed out.